Monday 30 November 2009

St Andrew's party



Have just been speaking to Mum. Their front garden was the scene this morning of multiple crashes due to black ice, which resulted in their front wall being destroyed, but miraculously no-one being hurt.
She told me that today is the start of St Andrew's Novena, which continues until Christmas. Throughout each day between now and then, you say the above prayer for your intentions. Fifteen times a day. I think it's a beautiful prayer in itself. Thanks to Two Hearts Design for their version of the text.
Incidentally, Mum's prayer to St Anthony was prayed fervently and successfully on Thursday night while in the Big Smoke, when Lee's phone went missing. We stayed nearer town this time in the hotel that actively attracts culchies like us. So I suppose it was inevitable that me walking in with my wellies on met with complete indifference. It was slightly disappointing, except it meant I won the bet with Lee! Other notable events while we were there included my brother's book launch (congratulations Bee!), meeting friends I've never met or relatives I haven't seen in too long a time, Roo's first trip on a Luas or any train for that matter, three generations watching the Christmas lights in 'piercing cold', two lovely meals (in lieu of a 'party' for Bee), coffee and pancakes in Lemon, Mum's first Late Late Toy Show since my sister died 25 years ago, self-indulgent trips round ribbon and knitting shops (well I did win the bet after all) and a visit to my lovely Therese in the oasis that is St Teresa's Church off Grafton St.

Friday 13 November 2009

Who'd like some lovely stuff?


There is a giveaway of lovely handmade goodies going on here. Just click and leave a comment and you could be the chuffed owner (or Christmas giver) of some beautiful Irish things.

Thursday 12 November 2009

Hooray! Fr Sinnott was released last night, our time. He had been in captivity for a month and is in pretty good health, considering. Thank you for praying for him.

Thursday 5 November 2009

words of comfort


Sometimes I read things and one word can make me catch my breath and I have to re-read it a few times to make sure I've read it right. Last night that word was 'snuggle'.
I'll explain. Mum gave me a copy of St Faustina's diary for my birthday and I dipped into it before I went to bed. I asked for a comforting passage and here's what opened up: Faustina is recounting something Our Lord said to her,
'Tell aching mankind to snuggle close to My merciful Heart, and I will fill it with peace.'
How wonderful is that?
Now, this is book is translated from Polish and I can't help but wonder what's the Polish word for 'snuggle'?

Wednesday 4 November 2009

Quilting... the story so far!


Every week I escape from my lickle cuties and spend a couple of hours absorbed in something completely different. Here are the squares I have made so far. From a distance they look alright, but they are full of mistakes! That's ok though, because this is a sampler quilt, which is the one you learn all the traditional patterns on. And of course we learn from our mistakes.... and I certainly make a lot of them!

P.S. These blocks are called Nine-Patch, Log Cabin and Pinwheel. Next up on the agenda is Fence Rail.